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Various attempts have been made over the years to condense the 16-hour bulk of Wagner's cycle of four Ring operas to concert length. Even Wagner himself, needing money, took a shot at it. Generally, this involves vocal greatest hits or instrumental excerpts, but this one, from the Orchestre National de Bordeaux Aquitaine and conductor Joseph Swensen, is more unusual in mixing the two. The program is devised by Swensen, who sticks to Wagner's notes except for a few percussion strokes. Does it work as an introduction to the Ring? One might note that the booklet, although it includes texts, doesn't have any kind of summary of what is going on in these operas, something that might be useful for newcomers. There are three singers, Christiane Libor, Michael Weinius, and Derek Walton, covering a total of six roles, and all are competent Wagnerians, although the conductor and orchestra lack the flash of groups more central to the tradition. The best feature is that Swensen does capture the dynamic of this giant artwork, at least insofar as it is possible to do so, while eliminating 87 percent of it. He sacrifices some of the vocal "greatest hits" (there is no "Liebestod," for example) in favor of instrumental-vocal combinations that suggest the scope of the thing, and this will be good for new listeners. Many of the act Preludes are included, and they are followed by pieces that seem to pick up the action, so to speak. Sample the Act III Prelude of Siegfried and Brünnhilde's subsequent "Ewig war ich" romantic number for an idea. The sound from the orchestra's own Auditorium de Bordeaux is clear enough, and listeners without days to invest in the Ring Cycle may wish to check this out. The album made classical best-seller lists in the autumn of 2024.
© James Manheim /TiVo
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Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
Richard Wagner, Composer, Lyricist - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Christiane Libor, Soloist, MainArtist - Michael Weinius, Soloist, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
Richard Wagner, Composer, Lyricist - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Christiane Libor, Soloist, MainArtist - Michael Weinius, Soloist, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
Richard Wagner, Composer, Lyricist - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Salvatore Caputo, MainArtist, MusicalDirector - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Chœur de l'Opéra National de Bordeaux, Choir, MainArtist - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
Richard Wagner, Composer, Lyricist - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Derek Welton, Soloist, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
DISC 2
Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
Richard Wagner, Composer, Lyricist - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Michael Weinius, Soloist, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
Richard Wagner, Composer, Lyricist - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Christiane Libor, Soloist, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
Richard Wagner, Composer, Lyricist - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Christiane Libor, Soloist, MainArtist - Michael Weinius, Soloist, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
Richard Wagner, Composer, Lyricist - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Derek Welton, Soloist, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
Richard Wagner, Composer, Lyricist - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Michael Weinius, Soloist, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Salvatore Caputo, MainArtist, MusicalDirector - Derek Welton, Soloist, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Chœur de l'Opéra National de Bordeaux, Choir, MainArtist - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
Richard Wagner, Composer - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
Richard Wagner, Composer, Lyricist - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Christiane Libor, Soloist, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
Richard Wagner, Composer, Lyricist - Copyright Control, MusicPublisher - Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Orchestra, MainArtist - Christiane Libor, Soloist, MainArtist - Joseph Swensen, Conductor, Arranger, MainArtist - Derek Welton, Soloist, MainArtist - Didier Martin, AAndRAdministrator, ExecutiveProducer - Marion Bénet, RecordingEngineer, SoundEditor - Louise Burel, Producer - Robin Rieuvernet, MixingEngineer
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
Album review
Various attempts have been made over the years to condense the 16-hour bulk of Wagner's cycle of four Ring operas to concert length. Even Wagner himself, needing money, took a shot at it. Generally, this involves vocal greatest hits or instrumental excerpts, but this one, from the Orchestre National de Bordeaux Aquitaine and conductor Joseph Swensen, is more unusual in mixing the two. The program is devised by Swensen, who sticks to Wagner's notes except for a few percussion strokes. Does it work as an introduction to the Ring? One might note that the booklet, although it includes texts, doesn't have any kind of summary of what is going on in these operas, something that might be useful for newcomers. There are three singers, Christiane Libor, Michael Weinius, and Derek Walton, covering a total of six roles, and all are competent Wagnerians, although the conductor and orchestra lack the flash of groups more central to the tradition. The best feature is that Swensen does capture the dynamic of this giant artwork, at least insofar as it is possible to do so, while eliminating 87 percent of it. He sacrifices some of the vocal "greatest hits" (there is no "Liebestod," for example) in favor of instrumental-vocal combinations that suggest the scope of the thing, and this will be good for new listeners. Many of the act Preludes are included, and they are followed by pieces that seem to pick up the action, so to speak. Sample the Act III Prelude of Siegfried and Brünnhilde's subsequent "Ewig war ich" romantic number for an idea. The sound from the orchestra's own Auditorium de Bordeaux is clear enough, and listeners without days to invest in the Ring Cycle may wish to check this out. The album made classical best-seller lists in the autumn of 2024.
© James Manheim /TiVo
About the album
- 2 disc(s) - 26 track(s)
- Total length: 02:08:20
- 1 Digital booklet
- Main artists: Joseph Swensen Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine
- Composer: Richard Wagner
- Label: Alpha Classics
- Genre: Classical
2024 Alpha Classics / Outhere Music France 2024 Opéra National de Bordeaux
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